OTLEY'S biggest school was closed today despite a planned teachers' strike being called off.

The 24-hour action was due to take place today but was averted following 11th hour talks between the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and Education Leeds.

But that was too late for Prince Henry's Grammar School head teacher John Steel who had written to parents on Tuesday telling them the school would have to close.

He ruled that there was insufficient time to make alternative arrangements for catering and transport and made his decision based on Health and Safety grounds.

Education Leeds Chief Executive Chris Edwards has blasted the NUT for leaving it until 11am yesterday to call off their walk-out.

And he has described the dispute over redundancies caused by falling primary pupil numbers as 'damaging and destructive' to pupils.

Prince Henry's, which has around 1,000 pupils, was expected to be the only school in Leeds to remain closed.

Pupils were due to return tomorrow for just half a day before breaking up for the summer holidays.

Prizegiving ceremonies for year seven - 11 and 12-year-olds - and year ten - 14 and 15-year-old pupils - have had to be rearranged for tomorrow.

And Mr Edwards said that pupils were being adversely affected when they should be enjoying the end-of-term celebrations.

He said: "The strike would not have put pupils first and would cause considerable disruption to end of term schooling but even now there is some disruption.

"Of course we are delighted that the majority of schools will be back to normal but with a school the size of Prince Henry's it is difficult to rearrange things at short notice.

"I think it is terribly unfortunate and I think that it is damaging and destructive for pupils."

More than 1,000 teachers from across Leeds were set to hold a 24-hour strike today and the action was a protest at proposed job losses in the city.

Around 200 schools across Leeds would have been affected by the strike after 81 per cent of NUT members voted in favour of strike action.

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said: "There are two members of the NUT who are at present facing redundancy and one of these is being considered for two vacancies tomorrow.

"Education Leeds have agreed that pending identifying suitable vacancies for these two teachers they will continue to be employed by Leeds City Council initially up to October 31.

"Education Leeds will identify suitable work for the teachers concerned through their partner supply agency, CELSIAN, during this period.

"Continued efforts will be made during this period to identify a more lasting solution."

Mr Edwards said: "The reality that we must address is that pupil numbers in the primary sector have fallen by 1,500 this year and this is set to continue.

"The primary review seeks to address this issue, but sadly it is inevitable that fewer pupils require fewer teachers and that schools will face these difficult decisions."